Collapsible hula hoop and method

ABSTRACT

A method for forming a hula hoop comprising depressing a peg member on a first terminal end section of a cylindrical member, and passing the peg member into an opening on a second terminal end section of the cylindrical member to couple the first terminal end section with the second terminal end section to form a hula hoop. A hula hoop comprising a tube member having a first terminal end section and a second terminal end section, and a connector assembly having a conduit structure coupled to the first terminal end section and slidably disposed in the second terminal end section. The connector assembly additionally has a peg assembly including a peg member passing through an aperture in the conduit structure and slidably positioned within an opening in the second terminal end section.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates in general to a hula-hoop. Morespecifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to acollapsible hula-hoop and method for exercising. Embodiments of thepresent invention also relate to a method of storing a hula-hoop.

2. Description of the Background Art

A hula is a Polynesian dance which may be characterized by undulatinghips. The hula dance may have inspired a plastic ring sold under thetrade mark Hula-Hoop, registered to Wham-O, Inc. The Hula-Hoop brandplastic ring is a light-weight plastic ring which is whirled around thebody in proximity to the hips and may be used for play or for exercise.

The plastic ring possesses a relatively large diameter, and because itsstructural form is fixed, it has practical drawbacks. A conventionalhula-hoop plastic structure is cumbersome and may not be easilytransported. Also, the plastic ring when sold in a store, occupies aninordinate amount of space, since it possesses a large diameter and maynot be readily collapsed to fit into a relatively small box.

Therefore, what is needed and what has been invented is a structuralring, preferably a plastic ring, which does not possess theabovementioned disadvantages. What is further needed and what has beeninvented is a structural ring which may be readily collapsed tofacilitate transportation and storage.

SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for forming a hulahoop comprising depressing (e.g., such as into a spring-biased posture)a peg member on a first terminal end section of a cylindrical member,and passing the peg member into an opening on a second terminal endsection of the cylindrical member to couple the first terminal endsection with the second terminal end section to form a hula hoop. Themethod may further comprise releasing the peg member into aspring-biased relationship with the second terminal end section. Thereleasing of the peg member may be before the passing of the peg memberinto the opening on the second terminal end section. The method mayfurther comprise sliding a top of the peg member along a portion (e.g.,an internal cylindrical surface) of the second terminal end sectionwhile the top of the peg member remains biased against the portion ofthe second terminal end section. After the peg member enters the openingin the second terminal end section, the spring-biased posture on the pegmember is released.

Embodiments of the present invention further provide a method forforming a hula hoop comprising pressing a peg member of a peg assemblyinto a flex-biased posture and in general alignment with an outsidecylindrical surface of a conduit member which houses the peg assemblyand is coupled to a first terminal end section of a tube member. Themethod further comprises moving an end of the conduit member into asecond terminal end section of the tube member, placing a top of theflex-biased peg member in biased contact with an internal cylindricalsurface of the second terminal end section, and sliding the top of theflex-biased peg member along the internal cylindrical surface until thepeg member passes into an opening in the second terminal end section forcoupling the first terminal end section with the second terminal endsection to form a hula hoop.

Embodiments of the present invention also further provide a method forcollapsing a hula hoop comprising removing a peg member from an openingin a second terminal end section by pressing the peg member into aflex-biased posture and in general alignment with an outside cylindricalsurface of a conduit member which is coupled to a first terminal endsection of a tube member and is at least partly slidably disposed on aninternal cylindrical surface in the second terminal end section. Themethod further comprises sliding the conduit member along the internalcylindrical surface within the second terminal end section to move theflex-biased peg member away from the opening and place a top of theflex-biased peg member in biased contact with a portion of the internalcylindrical surface. The method also further comprises sliding thebiased top of the flex-biased peg member along the internal cylindricalsurface until the flex-biased peg member passes out of the secondterminal end section to produce the tube member with the first terminalend section being decoupled from the second terminal end section, andcollapsing the tube member into a generally coiled-spring configurationhaving a plurality of overlapping loops. The plurality of overlappingloops have generally identical diameters.

Embodiments of the present invention yet also further provide a hulahoop comprising a tube member having a first terminal end section and asecond terminal end section, and a connector assembly having a conduitstructure coupled to the first terminal end section and slidablydisposed in the second terminal end section. The connector assemblyadditionally has a peg assembly including a peg member passing throughan aperture in the conduit structure and slidably positioned within anopening in the second terminal end section. The peg assembly comprises ashoulder structure supporting the peg member, an arcuate structure boundto the shoulder structure, and a base structure bound to the arcuatestructure.

These provisions together with the various ancillary provisions andfeatures which will become apparent to those artisans possessing skillin the art as the following description proceeds are attained bydevices, assemblies, apparatuses and methods of embodiments of thepresent invention, various embodiments thereof being shown withreference to the accompanying drawings, by way of example only, wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of a girl swirling the collapsible hula-hooparound her hips.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of a hula-hoop being releasably separated andfolded or collapsed into a coil shaped configuration.

FIG. 3 is a view of a girl holding the coil-shaped configured,collapsible hula-hoop.

FIG. 4 is a view of a girl carrying the coil-shaped configured,collapsible hula-hoop.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the collapsible hula-hoop after havingbeen separated into two terminal ends and with a person holding the twoterminal ends and in the process of connecting or releasably couplingtogether the two terminal ends to produce the collapsible hula-hoop witha generally continuous structure.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the connector assembly coupled to one ofthe terminal ends of hula-hoop.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the connector assembly illustrating a pegmember extending through an aperture in a housing conduit.

FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view taken in direction of the arrows andalong the plane of line 8-8 in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional view taken in direction of the arrows andalong the plane of line 9-9 in FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a vertical sectional view taken in direction of the arrowsand along the plane of line 10-10 in FIG. 7.

FIG. 11 is a partial top plan view of the other terminal end of thehula-hoop illustrating an opening wherein the peg slidably, releasablylodges for coupling together the terminal ends of the hula-hoop to formthe collapsible hula-hoop with a generally continuous structure.

FIG. 12 is a partial top plan view of the terminal ends coupled togetherby the peg member of the connector assembly slidably, releasably lodgedwithin the opening of one of the terminal ends of the hula-hoop.

FIG. 13 is a partial side elevational view of one of the terminal endsaligned with the connector assembly protruding from the other terminalend of the hula-hoop in order for the connector assembly to slidablymate with the internal cylindrical surface of the terminal end.

FIG. 14 is a partial side elevational view of the connector assemblyslidably engaged to the terminal end having the opening with the pegmember in a depressed posture and biasedly, slidably engaging theinternal cylindrical surface of the terminal end.

FIG. 15 is a partial side elevational view of the terminal ends beingreleasably coupled together by the connector assembly after the pegmember has been slid along the internal cylindrical surface of theterminal end while being continuously biased against the internalcylindrical surface until the peg member reaches the opening whereuponthe flexible, flex-biased structure supporting the peg member causes thepeg member to spring through the opening.

FIG. 16 is a partial sectional, side elevational view of anotherembodiment of the connector assembly.

FIG. 17 is a vertical sectional view taken in directions of the arrowsand along the plane of line 17-17 in FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In the description herein for embodiments of the present invention,numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of componentsand/or methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments ofthe present invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize,however, that an embodiment of the invention can be practiced withoutone or more of the specific details, or with other apparatus, systems,assemblies, methods, components, materials, parts, and/or the like. Inother instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are notspecifically shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects ofembodiments of the present invention.

Referring now to FIG. 1 there is seen a ring, generally illustrated as10 and sold under the trade mark Hula-Hoop, registered to Wham-O, Inc.While the Hula-Hoop brand ring member will be broadly referred tohereafter as “hula hoop,” such use of the term “hula-hoop” is not to beconstrued as misuse of the trade mark Hula-Hoop. Nor is the use of theterm “hula-hoop” to limit the spirit and scope of the present inventionto any conventional Hula-Hoop brand ring member which is typicallyadapted to be whirled around a body 12 by movement of the hips 14. Suchuse may be for exercise purposes or for entertainment purposes. The hulahoop 10 may be manufactured from any suitable material, preferably anysuitable plastic, such as polyethylene or polypropylene.

The hula hoop 10 comprises a connector assembly 18 for releasablycoupling together sections of terminal ends 20 and 22 of the hula hoop10 for forming a generally continuous ring structure. The connectorassembly 18 is coupled to and/or slidably engaged to the terminal endsection 20. Terminal end section 22 includes an opening 23. When theconnector assembly 18 disengages the coupled terminal end sections 20and 22, the hula hoop 10 may be folded or collapsed into a generallycoiled-spring configuration 30, as best shown in FIG. 2. In thegenerally coiled-spring configuration 30, the hula hoop 10 includes aplurality of overlapping loops having generally identical diameters. Inthe collapsed structure or coiled-spring configuration 30, it may beeasily carried and transported, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

In the embodiment of the connector assembly 18 illustrated in FIGS.6-10, the connector assembly 18 has a conduit structure 18 a having anoutside cylindrical surface 18 c and ends 32 and 34 and an opening 36.The outside diameter of the conduit structure 18 a is slightly less thanthe internal diameter of the terminal end section 20 so that the conduitstructure 18 a is capable of making a snug, affixed connection with theterminal end section 20, as best shown in FIG. 17. The terminal endsection 22 has an internal diameter which is larger than the outsidediameter of the conduit structure 18 a to facilitate the passage of theconduit structure 18 a into the terminal end section 22 for couplingtogether terminal end sections 20 and 22 in accordance with theprocedure set forth hereafter.

The connector assembly 18 also includes a peg assembly 40 having a pegmember 42 (e.g., a lug) supported by a flexible, spring- or flex-biasedstructure 44 which biases the peg member 42 upwardly after the pegmember 42 is depressed downwardly. The peg member 42 has a top pegsurface 42 a that generally aligns with the outside cylindrical surface18 c in the procedure of using the connector assembly 18 for couplingthe terminal ends 20 and 22 together to form a continuous hula hoopstructure. The flex-biased structure 44 has a shoulder structure 45supporting the peg member 42. The spring- or flex-biased structure 44also has a base structure 46 supported by an internal cylindricalsurface 18 b of the conduit structure 18 a. The shoulder structure 45and the base structure 46 terminate in an arcuate structure 48. As pegmember 42 is depressed, the spring- or flex-biased structure 44 flexesinto a posture having an upward bias such that when the peg member 42 isreleased, the upward biasing of the spring- or flex-biased structurecauses the peg member 42 to spring back into its original positionbefore being biased. As will be further explained below, when theterminal end sections 20 and 22 are being releasably coupled, the pegmember 42 removably lodges in the opening 23 of the terminal end section22.

Referring now to FIG. 16 there is seen another embodiment of theconnector assembly 18 having the flex-biased structure 44 with anintermediate section 50 integrally bound to the peg member 42 and to astructure 52 which defines an arcuate channel. Structure 52 is connectedto a flange member 54 which is bound to the terminal end section 20. Forthis embodiment of the present invention, the peg member 42 generallyoperates as it does for the embodiment of FIGS. 6-10. More specifically,as this embodiment of the peg member 42 is depressed, the spring- orflex-biased structure 44 (e.g., the intermediate section 50 andstructure 52) flexes into a posture having an upward bias such that whenthe peg member 42 is released, the upward biasing of the spring- orflex-biased structure causes the peg member 42 to spring back into itsoriginal position before being biased. While the embodiment of theconnector assembly 18 illustrated in FIGS. 6-10 will be used toillustrate the procedure for releasably connecting terminal end section20 with terminal end section 22 such that the hula hoop has a generalcontinuous structure for any suitable use, it is to be understood thatthe use of the embodiment of the connector assembly 18 of FIGS. 6-10 isnot to limit the spirit and scope of the present invention which is toinclude any generally upward biasing peg member 42 for removably lodgingin opening 23 on terminal end section 22.

Referring in detail now to FIGS. 13-15 for explaining the procedure forreleasably coupling together terminal end sections 20 and 22, theconduit structure 18 a of the connector assembly 18 is generally aligned(as best shown in FIGS. 5 and 13) with the hollow end of terminalsection 22. As previously indicated, because the outside diameter of theconduit structure 18 a is slightly less than the internal diameter ofthe terminal end section 20, the conduit structure 18 a is capable ofmaking a snug, affixed connection with the terminal end section 20, asbest shown in FIG. 17. A glue solution or member (not shown) may be usedto assist in connecting the outside cylindrical surface of the conduitstructure 18 a to the internal surface of the terminal end section 20.As further previously indicated, because the terminal end section 22 hasan internal diameter which is larger than the outside diameter of theconduit structure 18 a, the conduit structure 18 a may easily pass intothe terminal end section 22. After the conduit structure 18 a of theconnector assembly 18 has been generally aligned with the hollow end ofterminal end section 22, peg member 42 is pushed or depressed downwardlyin direction of arrow B in FIG. 13. Preferably, the peg member 42 ispushed or depressed downwardly until the top surface 42 a is generallyaligned with the outside cylindrical surface 18 c of the conduitstructure 18 a. When the peg member 42 is depressed or pusheddownwardly, the spring- or flex-biased structure 44 (e.g., theintermediate section 50 and structure 52) becomes flexed such that thepeg member 42 has a posture including an upward bias.

Subsequently, the conduit structure 18 a is moved in direction of arrowsA-A in FIG. 13 and into the terminal end 22 until at least a portion ofthe top surface 42 a of the peg member 42 is under or superimposed bythe internal cylindrical surface of the terminal end section 22. The pegmember 42 may then be released which causes the top surface 42 a of thepeg member 42 to be biased against the internal cylindrical surface ofthe terminal end section 22 as illustrated in FIG. 14. The conduitstructure 18 a is continually pushed in direction of arrow C in FIG. 14,and while the conduit structure 18 a is being continually pushed, thetop surface 42 a of the peg member 42 remains biasedly engaged to theinternal cylindrical surface of the terminal end section 22. Thus, asthe conduit structure 18 a is being pushed into the terminal end section22, the top surface 42 a of the peg member 42 slides along the internalcylindrical surface of the terminal end section 22 while remainingbiasedly engaged thereto with an upward biased being placed on the pegmember 42 by the spring- or flex-biased structure 44. The conduitstructure 18 a is continually pushed or moved in direction of the arrowC until the peg member 42 is under the opening 23 of the terminal endsection 22 whereupon the upward bias on the peg member 42 from thespring- or flex-biased structure 44 causes the peg member 42 to bereleased into the opening 23 as best shown in FIG. 15. Thus, when thepeg member 42 reaches the opening 23, the upward biasing of the spring-or flex-biased structure causes the peg member 42 to snap into theopening 23 and to spring back into its original position before beingbiased. The terminal end sections 20 and 22 are now coupled together asshown in FIG. 15, and the hula hoop ring 10 is now formed for anysuitable use, such as being swirled around, and/or movably disposed on,hips of a human being, such as the girl in FIG. 1.

After the hula hoop ring 10 has been used as desired, the procedure isreversed to fold or collapsed the hula hoop ring 10 into thecoiled-spring configuration 30 as seen in FIGS. 2-4. More specifically,the peg member 42 is pushed or depressed downwardly until the peg member42 is no longer in opening 23 and the top surface 42 a is below theinternal cylindrical surface of the terminal end section 22 andgenerally aligned with the outside cylindrical surface 18 c of theconduit structure 18 a.

As previously indicated, when the peg member 42 is depressed or pusheddownwardly, the spring- or flex-biased structure 44 (e.g., theintermediate section 50 and structure 52) becomes flexed such that thepeg member 42 includes a posture having an upward bias. Subsequently,the conduit structure 18 a is commenced being withdrawn from within theterminal end section 22 until the top surface 42 a of the peg member 42is not under or not superimposed by the internal cylindrical surface ofthe terminal section end 22. The conduit structure 18 a is continuallypulled in a direction opposite to the direction of arrow C in FIG. 14,and while the conduit structure 18 a is being continually pulled, thetop surface 42 a of the peg member 42 remains biasedly engaged to theinternal cylindrical surface of the terminal end section 22. Thus, asthe conduit structure 18 a is being withdrawn from within the terminalend section 22, the top surface 42 a of the peg member 42 slides alongthe internal cylindrical surface of the terminal end section 22 whileremaining biasedly engaged thereto with an upward biased being placed onthe peg member 42 by the spring- or flex-biased structure 44.

The conduit structure 18 a is continually pulled until the peg member 42is no longer in contact with the internal cylindrical surface of theterminal end section 22, whereupon the upward bias on the peg member 42from the spring- or flex-biased structure 44 causes the peg member 42 tobe released from biased engagement with the internal cylindrical surfaceof the terminal end section 22 and to spring or snap back into theposition illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 13 where the top surface 42 a isabove the outside cylindrical surface 18 c of the conduit structure 18a. The hula hoop ring 10 now has decoupled and available terminal endsections 20 and 22, and the hula hoop structure may now be folded orcollapsed into a coil shaped configuration 30 in accordance with theflow diagram of FIG. 2. As previously indicated, when in the coil shapedconfiguration 30, the coil-shaped configured, collapsible hula-hoop maybe easily carried as seen in FIG. 4, or may be easily stowed in anysuitable container for shipping or transportation.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment”, “anembodiment”, or “a specific embodiment” means that a particular feature,structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodimentis included in at least one embodiment of the present invention and notnecessarily in all embodiments. Thus, respective appearances of thephrases “in one embodiment”, “in an embodiment”, or “in a specificembodiment” in various places throughout this specification are notnecessarily referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, theparticular features, structures, or characteristics of any specificembodiment of the present invention may be combined in any suitablemanner with one or more other embodiments. It is to be understood thatother variations and modifications of the embodiments of the presentinvention described and illustrated herein are possible in light of theteachings herein and are to be considered as part of the spirit andscope of the present invention.

It will also be appreciated that one or more of the elements depicted inthe drawings/figures can also be implemented in a more separated orintegrated manner, or even removed or rendered as inoperable in certaincases, as is useful in accordance with a particular application.Additionally, any arrows in the drawings/Figures should be consideredonly as exemplary, and not limiting, unless otherwise specificallynoted. Furthermore, the term “or” as used herein is generally intendedto mean “and/or” unless otherwise indicated. Combinations of componentsor steps will also be considered as being noted, where terminology isforeseen as rendering the ability to separate or combine is unclear.

As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow,“a”, “an”, and “the” includes plural references unless the contextclearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein andthroughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and“on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

The foregoing description of illustrated embodiments of the presentinvention, including what is described in the Abstract, is not intendedto be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise formsdisclosed herein. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, theinvention are described herein for illustrative purposes only, variousequivalent modifications are possible within the spirit and scope of thepresent invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognizeand appreciate. As indicated, these modifications may be made to thepresent invention in light of the foregoing description of illustratedembodiments of the present invention and are to be included within thespirit and scope of the present invention.

Thus, while the present invention has been described herein withreference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification,various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoingdisclosures, and it will be appreciated that in some instances somefeatures of embodiments of the invention will be employed without acorresponding use of other features without departing from the scope andspirit of the invention as set forth. Therefore, many modifications maybe made to adapt a particular situation or material to the essentialscope and spirit of the present invention. It is intended that theinvention not be limited to the particular terms used in followingclaims and/or to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best modecontemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the inventionwill include any and all embodiments and equivalents falling within thescope of the appended claims.

1. A method for forming a hula hoop comprising: depressing a peg memberon a first terminal end section of a cylindrical member; and passing thepeg member into an opening on a second terminal end section of thecylindrical member to couple the first terminal end section with thesecond terminal end section to form a hula hoop.
 2. The method of claim1 wherein said depressing a peg member comprises depressing a peg memberinto a spring-biased posture.
 3. The method of claim 2 additionallycomprising releasing the peg member into a spring-biased relationshipwith the second terminal end section.
 4. The method of claim 3 whereinsaid releasing the peg member into a spring-biased relationship with thesecond terminal end section is before said passing the peg member intothe opening on the second terminal end section.
 5. The method of claim 4additionally comprising sliding a top of the peg member along a portionof the second terminal end section while the top of the peg memberremains biased against the portion of the second terminal end section.6. The method of claim 5 wherein said spring-biased posture on said pegmember is released after said peg member enters said opening.
 7. Themethod of claim 5 wherein said cylindrical member comprises a tubehaving an internal cylindrical surface.
 8. The method of claim 7 whereinsaid sliding a top of the peg member along a portion of the secondterminal end section comprises sliding a top of the peg member along theinternal cylindrical surface of the second terminal end section whilethe top of the peg member remains biased against the internalcylindrical surface of the second terminal end section.
 9. A method forforming a hula hoop comprising pressing a peg member of a peg assemblyinto a flex-biased posture and in general alignment with an outsidecylindrical surface of a conduit member which houses the peg assemblyand is coupled to a first terminal end section of a tube member; movingan end of the conduit member into a second terminal end section of thetube member; placing a top of the flex-biased peg member in biasedcontact with an internal cylindrical surface of the second terminal endsection; sliding the top of the flex-biased peg member along theinternal cylindrical surface until the peg member passes into an openingin the second terminal end section for coupling the first terminal endsection with the second terminal end section to form a hula hoop. 10.The method of claim 9 wherein said peg assembly comprises a shoulderstructure supporting the peg member, an arcuate structure bound to theshoulder structure, and a base structure bound to the arcuate structure.11. A method for collapsing a hula hoop comprising: removing a pegmember from an opening in a second terminal end section by pressing thepeg member into a flex-biased posture and in general alignment with anoutside cylindrical surface of a conduit member which is coupled to afirst terminal end section of a tube member and is at least partlyslidably disposed on an internal cylindrical surface in the secondterminal end section; sliding the conduit member along the internalcylindrical surface within the second terminal end section to move theflex-biased peg member away from the opening and place a top of theflex-biased peg member in biased contact with a portion of the internalcylindrical surface; sliding the biased top of the flex-biased pegmember along the internal cylindrical surface until the flex-biased pegmember passes out of the second terminal end section to produce the tubemember with the first terminal end section being decoupled from thesecond terminal end section; and collapsing the tube member into agenerally coiled-spring configuration having a plurality of overlappingloops.
 12. The method of claim 11 wherein said plurality of overlappingloops have generally identical diameters.
 13. A hula hoop comprising atube member having a first terminal end section and a second terminalend section; a connector assembly having a conduit structure coupled tothe first terminal end section and slidably disposed in the secondterminal end section, said connector assembly additionally having a pegassembly including a peg member passing through an aperture in saidconduit structure and slidably positioned within an opening in thesecond terminal end section.
 14. The hula hoop of claim 13 wherein saidpeg assembly comprises a shoulder structure supporting the peg member,an arcuate structure bound to the shoulder structure, and a basestructure bound to the arcuate structure.